Bipolar Disorder Beyond Moodiness

Published: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 7:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 7:52 p.m.

Since the 1990s, there has been a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression.

Once considered relatively rare, recent estimates suggest that as many as 4 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the condition.

Bipolar disorder is a very serious, sometimes debilitating, condition. While there are several types of bipolar disorder (categorized as Type I, Type II, Cyclothymic, and Not Otherwise Specified), severe forms of the condition can result in an inability to function, maintain employment, meet daily needs, remain safe, and enjoy healthy relationships. Type I and Type II are the most common.

Over the past few years, mental health professionals have seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients with bipolar disorder. On a weekly basis, I have patients who report they have bipolar disorder. However, when I ask about their symptoms, they invariably reply that they have "mood swings." As I talk with them, they report they will feel happy and fine one minute, then something small and insignificant could happen and they will become angry and irritable. Some will say they can then recover very quickly and return to a happy mood.

Many believe this pattern of mood swing suggests bipolar disorder. I blame the media and the dissemination of poor information. Mood swings, such as that described above, is not bipolar disorder. There are a lot of other things it could be, but it is not necessarily bipolar disorder.

To diagnose bipolar disorder, a clinician must do a detailed evaluation, exploring the individual's history and hopefully gathering information from other people in the person's life. Sometimes testing is necessary, though there are no physical exams (i.e., blood tests, etc.) that can be conducted to make the diagnosis. This is frustrating for some, as bipolar disorder is often described as being a "chemical imbalance." While it may be true there is a chemical imbalance, it is not currently testable.

Treatment for bipolar disorder typically includes medication and therapy. Medication helps stabilize the mood episodes, while therapy helps the person recognize events and factors in his life that may elicit mood changes. Both components of treatment are very important. Treatment is not a cure, rather it provides a management of the symptoms.

A word about bipolar disorder in children. Diagnoses in children have increased exponentially over the past decade. Children historically diagnosed with bipolar disorder do not present with the same profile as adults. Rather, they are chronically irritable, easily agitated, and often aggressive (verbally and physically). This has led some to believe that a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is inappropriate for these children. In the upcoming revision of our diagnostic manual, a new diagnosis will be included that will hopefully remedy some of these issues.

If you feel a family member has bipolar disorder, or if they just have severe mood swings, encourage them to see a mental health professional. Treatment is important and can have a very positive impact on their life.

[ Dr. Berney is a licensed psychologist with Kindelan, McDanal and Associates in Lakeland. Readers are invited to submit questions or comments to DrBerney@thementalbreakdown.com. Dr. Berney is the co-author of "Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child." ]

<p>Since the 1990s, there has been a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression. </p><p>Once considered relatively rare, recent estimates suggest that as many as 4 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the condition. </p><p>Bipolar disorder is a very serious, sometimes debilitating, condition. While there are several types of bipolar disorder (categorized as Type I, Type II, Cyclothymic, and Not Otherwise Specified), severe forms of the condition can result in an inability to function, maintain employment, meet daily needs, remain safe, and enjoy healthy relationships. Type I and Type II are the most common.</p><p>Over the past few years, mental health professionals have seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients with bipolar disorder. On a weekly basis, I have patients who report they have bipolar disorder. However, when I ask about their symptoms, they invariably reply that they have "mood swings." As I talk with them, they report they will feel happy and fine one minute, then something small and insignificant could happen and they will become angry and irritable. Some will say they can then recover very quickly and return to a happy mood. </p><p>Many believe this pattern of mood swing suggests bipolar disorder. I blame the media and the dissemination of poor information. Mood swings, such as that described above, is not bipolar disorder. There are a lot of other things it could be, but it is not necessarily bipolar disorder. </p><p>To diagnose bipolar disorder, a clinician must do a detailed evaluation, exploring the individual's history and hopefully gathering information from other people in the person's life. Sometimes testing is necessary, though there are no physical exams (i.e., blood tests, etc.) that can be conducted to make the diagnosis. This is frustrating for some, as bipolar disorder is often described as being a "chemical imbalance." While it may be true there is a chemical imbalance, it is not currently testable.</p><p>Treatment for bipolar disorder typically includes medication and therapy. Medication helps stabilize the mood episodes, while therapy helps the person recognize events and factors in his life that may elicit mood changes. Both components of treatment are very important. Treatment is not a cure, rather it provides a management of the symptoms.</p><p>A word about bipolar disorder in children. Diagnoses in children have increased exponentially over the past decade. Children historically diagnosed with bipolar disorder do not present with the same profile as adults. Rather, they are chronically irritable, easily agitated, and often aggressive (verbally and physically). This has led some to believe that a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is inappropriate for these children. In the upcoming revision of our diagnostic manual, a new diagnosis will be included that will hopefully remedy some of these issues. </p><p>If you feel a family member has bipolar disorder, or if they just have severe mood swings, encourage them to see a mental health professional. Treatment is important and can have a very positive impact on their life.</p><p>[ Dr. Berney is a licensed psychologist with Kindelan, McDanal and Associates in Lakeland. Readers are invited to submit questions or comments to DrBerney@thementalbreakdown.com. Dr. Berney is the co-author of "Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child." ]</p>